Biology for the Global Citizen

What's News in Science?

Health and Medicine

A Closer Look at Lyme Disease
- This article contains information on Lyme disease and recent research into chronic Lyme disease.
Cone Snails – Danger and Deception Wrapped in Beautiful Packages
- Cone snails, which are predatory molluscs, employ three main hunting strategies using deadly toxins.
Cone Snails – Venoms Have Unexpected Benefits
- Scientists are examining components of cone shell venom to develop a faster acting form of insulin and drugs to relieve severe chronic pain.
Emerging Viral Concerns – Mpox (Monkeypox)
- The World Health Organization has declared Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, a global health emergency.
Hidden Health Concerns in Our Food and Water
- Scientists are examining possible health risks of Bisphenol A (BPA), a synthetic organic chemical, long used in a variety of consumer goods.
Magic Pill? Preventing Tick-Borne Diseases in Human Beings
- Recent research efforts focus on a vaccine and a drug against ticks.
Measles, Once Vanquished, Now Returned
- Reduced vaccination rate is leading to an increase measles cases.
Plants That Sting
- The chemistry of stinging plants from Australia has been analyzed, in part, to better understand pain stimulation and treatment, as well as feature evolution.
Seeding Cartilage Growth
- Scientists have stimulated skeletal stem cells to regrow cartilage in mice. Such work may lead to a safe and effective treatment for arthritis.
Sickle Cell Disease – Relief at last?
- What is CRISPR and how is it helping those with Sickle Cell Disease?

I. Preliminary Information Unit

A Closer Look at Lyme Disease
- This article contains information on Lyme disease and recent research into chronic Lyme disease.
Are Linden Trees Killing Bumblebees?
- Through observations and analysis, scientists have modified their hypotheses on factors leading to massive deaths of bumblebees under linden trees.
Tenfold Increase in Climate Extremes
- Application of a new class of climate hazard metrics reveals disturbing amplifications of various climate extremes.
Climate Models
- Climate models help scientists analyze the impact of human activity on extreme weather events.
Cone Snails – Chemical Hackers
- Some cone snails can use as a hunting tool a chemical that mimics the pheromones of bristle worms to lure the worms out of seclusion.
Cone Snails – Venoms Have Unexpected Benefits
- Scientists are examining components of cone shell venom to develop a faster acting form of insulin and drugs to relieve severe chronic pain.
Electric Bacteria
- The presence of the cable bacteria can reduce methane release in flooded rice fields by over 90%. Could this be a significant weapon to reduce methane emissions into the atmosphere?
Hidden Health Concerns in Our Food and Water
- Scientists are examining possible health risks of Bisphenol A (BPA), a synthetic organic chemical, long used in a variety of consumer goods.
Plants That Sting
- The chemistry of stinging plants from Australia has been analyzed, in part, to better understand pain stimulation and treatment, as well as feature evolution.

II. Cells: Basic to Life Unit

Are Linden Trees Killing Bumblebees?
- Through observations and analysis, scientists have modified their hypotheses on factors leading to massive deaths of bumblebees under linden trees.
Emerging Viral Concerns – Mpox (Monkeypox)
- The World Health Organization has declared Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, a global health emergency.
Magic Pill? Preventing Tick-Borne Diseases in Human Beings
- Recent research efforts focus on a vaccine and a drug against ticks.
Seeding Cartilage Growth
- Scientists have stimulated skeletal stem cells to regrow cartilage in mice. Such work may lead to a safe and effective treatment for arthritis.

III. Genetics/Genome Unit

Sickle Cell Disease – Relief at last?
- What is CRISPR and how is it helping those with Sickle Cell Disease?
Spreading the Wealth – Barn Owl Chicks
- The behavior of barn owl chicks is discussed in times of ample and insufficient food.
Stuck on You: Finding Love in the Dark and Deep
- The male of a certain deep-sea anglerfish actually becomes a parasite to its mate. What is different about their immune systems to allow such fusion?
Ticks: Well-Adapted Parasites
- Various structural and physiological adaptations that make ticks successful parasites. Moreover, genetic modifications can evolve readily with its host’s defenses.

IV. Evolution/Natural Selection Unit

Cone Snails – Chemical Hackers
- Some cone snails can use as a hunting tool a chemical that mimics the pheromones of bristle worms to lure the worms out of seclusion.
Cone Snails – Danger and Deception Wrapped in Beautiful Packages
- Cone snails, which are predatory molluscs, employ three main hunting strategies using deadly toxins.
Cone Snails – Venoms Have Unexpected Benefits
- Scientists are examining components of cone shell venom to develop a faster acting form of insulin and drugs to relieve severe chronic pain.
Electric Bacteria
- The presence of the cable bacteria can reduce methane release in flooded rice fields by over 90%. Could this be a significant weapon to reduce methane emissions into the atmosphere?
Plants That Sting
- The chemistry of stinging plants from Australia has been analyzed, in part, to better understand pain stimulation and treatment, as well as feature evolution.
Spreading the Wealth – Barn Owl Chicks
- The behavior of barn owl chicks is discussed in times of ample and insufficient food.
Stuck on You: Finding Love in the Dark and Deep
- The male of a certain deep-sea anglerfish actually becomes a parasite to its mate. What is different about their immune systems to allow such fusion?
Ticks: Well-Adapted Parasites
- Various structural and physiological adaptations that make ticks successful parasites. Moreover, genetic modifications can evolve readily with its host’s defenses.
Toxic Relations
- The primate slow loris is actually venomous. Scientists have been studying the evolution of the animal's behavior involving its damaging venom.

V. Ecology and Environment Unit

Tenfold Increase in Climate Extremes
- Application of a new class of climate hazard metrics reveals disturbing amplifications of various climate extremes.
Climate Models
- Climate models help scientists analyze the impact of human activity on extreme weather events.
Cone Snails – Danger and Deception Wrapped in Beautiful Packages
- Cone snails, which are predatory molluscs, employ three main hunting strategies using deadly toxins.
Electric Bacteria
- The presence of the cable bacteria can reduce methane release in flooded rice fields by over 90%. Could this be a significant weapon to reduce methane emissions into the atmosphere?
Hidden Health Concerns in Our Food and Water
- Scientists are examining possible health risks of Bisphenol A (BPA), a synthetic organic chemical, long used in a variety of consumer goods.
Making a Living from Death: Scavengers
- The important roll of scavengers in ecosystems is explored.
Some Good News on Climate from the UK
- The United Kingdom has closed its last coal-fired power station.
Spreading the Wealth – Barn Owl Chicks
- The behavior of barn owl chicks is discussed in times of ample and insufficient food.
Stuck on You: Finding Love in the Dark and Deep
- The male of a certain deep-sea anglerfish actually becomes a parasite to its mate. What is different about their immune systems to allow such fusion?